Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia
Profile last updated:
21 Aug 2018
Description
Red Boppel Nut is a small tree to 10 m tall, often with several unbranched stems rising from the rootstock. The leaves are leathery and compound, each 40 – 100 cm long, deeply lobed, or with many leaflets and a winged central spine. The lobes or leaflets have prickly toothed margins and the veins are prominent on both sides. A loose spike of many spidery-flowers, 15 – 35 cm long, arises directly from the trunk from ground level upwards. The flowers are purplish brown with a strong, sickly scent. Bright red fleshy fruits, 2 – 4 cm long, follow the flowers.
Distribution
Coastal areas of north-east NSW from the Nambucca Valley north to south-east Queensland.
Habitat and ecology
- Subtropical rainforest, moist eucalypt forest and Brush Box forest.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing of rainforest habitat for development or agriculture.
- Habitat invasion and competition by multiple weeds reduces habitat suitability and suppresses recruitment and growth of the plant.
- Fire.
- Removal of existing plants or removal of seeds by horticulturalists
- Disturbance by domestic stock.
- Removal of trees and damage to habitat by roadworks.
- Lack of knowledge on seed predation by rats (Rattus rattus; R. norvegicus) potentially impacting species recruitment.
- Inappropriate fire regimes including risk from uncontrolled fires due to lightning strikes and arson, particularly on the edges of drier vegetation.
- Lack of knowledge of seed dispersal mechanisms and population recruitment dynamics. These processes are likely to constrain recruitment and reduce movement of plants between habitat patches and influence its ability to regenerate and increase in number after fire.
- Alteration of habitat structure, composition, resource availability, reduction in soil moisture, and alteration of microclimate for plants from climate induced drought, extreme weather events and increased fire intensity and frequency.
- Lack of long-term protection for the species on private and forestry tenures and potential for change of land use causing further negative impacts (e.g. fragmentation, residential and agricultural development). Population is particularly susceptible to localised extinction because of small number of extant populations and low species abundance.
- Lack of knowledge of species abundance or distribution
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
22 priority actions
to help recover the Red Boppel Nut in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect rainforest, moist eucalypt forest and Brush Box forest from fire.
- Control introduced weeds
- Protect remnant subtropical rainforest habitat.
- Initiate and support projects to rehabilitate remnant habitat and regenerate rainforest.
- Identify individuals occurring on roadsides to avoid disturbance during road maintenance activities.
Information sources
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
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